Champion Charities Benefit Night at 'The Color Purple' 12/8

Champion Charities will host the 4th Annual "Night at the Theatre" with Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple on Saturday, December 8.  Adapted from the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, the spectacular Broadway musical adaptation of Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple graces the stage at San Francisco's famed Orpheum Theatre on December 8 to raise money for Champion Charities, the non-profit organization devoted to funding brain tumor research and helping children and families in need.

Former NFL legends Harris Barton and Ronnie Lott will proudly host an unforgettable evening benefiting their non-profit, Champion Charities, dedicated to promoting brain tumor research and helping children and families in need. The majority of proceeds from the December 8 performance of The Color Purple will be donated to Champion Charities and towards their goal of raising $10 million by 2010 for UCSF's Brain Tumor Research Center.   In addition, Champion Charities also supports a variety of exceptional not-for-profit organizations serving disadvantaged youth, and we are proud to share a portion of this evening's proceeds with All Stars Helping Kids.  All Stars Helping Kids has been a national leader and galvanizing force in supporting safe, healthy and rigorous learning environment for all children since 1989.

The Color Purple, presented by SHN as part of the Best of Broadway series, has won critical acclaim for the heart warming and inspiring story of a young woman who triumphs over adversity and discovers her unique voice in the world.

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, The Color Purple is a theatrical masterpiece, offering captivating entertainment for the entire family. The Grammy Award-nominated score includes a medley of soulful sounds featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, captivating audiences of all ages for an unforgettable night at the theatre. This soul-stirring musical includes an all-star ensemble of award winning theatrical masterminds, including Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman and Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

The event on Saturday December 8 begins at 5PM-7PM with a VIP Reception at Civic Center Plaza with entertainment and activities for children of all ages.  VIP guests will leave for the Orpheum Theatre at 7PM, followed by the 8PM show.

Tickets are $40+ for general admission (limited number of discounted mezzanine and balcony tickets available). $500 and up for the VIP Pre-Show party and theatre ticket. To purchase tickets- www.championcharities.org/colorpurple or call 415-345-9458

The Orpheum Theatre – 1192 Market Street (corner of Hyde and Market Streets at 8th Street)

Champion Charities- Harris Barton created Champion Charities, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in 2004 with his business partner, former teammate and friend, Ronnie Lott. Champion Charities is dedicated to promoting brain tumor research and helping children and families in need. the organization's current priority is to raise $10 million by 2010 for the Brain Tumor Research Center at UCSF Medical Center.

UCSF's Brain Tumor Research Center- Continuously funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 1972, the Brain Tumor Research Center (BTRC) at UCSF is internationally recognized as a major research and treatment center for adults and children with tumors of the brain and spinal cord. The basic science laboratories of the BTRC and the Michael Douglas Pediatric BTRC, in collaboration with the Brain Tumor Center's Clinical Neuro-Oncology Program, emphasize translational research into the biology and behavior of brain tumors - research in which scientists and health care clinicians work in partnership to translate laboratory findings into new or improved forms of clinical therapy. Many BTRC researchers are also members of UCSF's Comprehensive Cancer Center, a designated National Cancer Institute (NCI) research center.  Clinical advances will occur at an even faster pace after Brain Tumor Research Center investigators move to greatly expanded facilities in the new cancer research center building at UCSF Mission Bay.